Unsung Hero

[HarveyWallbangers]

Anyways I didn't think Bigby played that well. He is a big hitter, but I didn't see a lot of tackles from his hits, also a lot of passes went his way in coverage. I counted 3 maybe 4 balls that were completed on him during the game. Bigby is only going to get better and he played well within the unit.

You must have been watching a different game than me. I didn't see much that Bigby gave up. I think I remember him giving up one ball. Plus, he had great coverage on a deep ball.

Let's see: Philly completed 15 balls--7 to their RBs. That left 8 balls that could have been completed on Bigby. One was on Barnett for a TD. One was on Tramon Williams for the long gain to Curtis. One was to Avant on Woodson. Another was to Curtis on Woodson. One was to L.J. Smith on Poppinga. That leaves at most two balls that Bigby could even have given up. One was a catch by Smith, and the other a catch by Avant.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think what we may be missing here, is that once again, the Offensive playbook may have been "dumbed down" a little to accommodate our RB problem (and perhaps the loss of Jennings). That certainly does not excuse the poor play of our O-line, but it may go a long way towards further explaining the problems with running the ball.

I think you have something here. Not necessarily dumbed down, but McCarthy basically admitted after the game that they had planned on passing a lot to set up the run, and he was disappointed in himself for not going back to the run. I think the inexperience at RBs did make him come out throwing the ball more, and then he never really went back to the run.

[woodbuck27]

On the topic of clutch last second efforts.

The ending of the Denver at Buffalo game was just crazy exciting. The Denver FG team (Jack Elam and Co.) started on the field with about 12 seconds remaining on the clock and running.

The commentators said it takes usually a min. 18 20 seconds to execute a FG on the rush.

It was about a 46 yard FG (he had already missed two efforts) and Elam got his boot on it with what seemed less than a second remaining and with no time on the clock he planted it almost dead center.

The Broncos went crazy on the field.You would think that they won the Super Bowl.

By the way. One Javon Walker played outstanding in that final drive with awesome receptions and showed great toughness.

We lost a great WR there. Oh well.

Also. Buffalo RB Marshawn Lynch is the real deal. A smart RB and great pickup for the Bills. He's an excellent change up RB with good instincts and awareness as to how to advance the ball and go for extra yards. He can also turn it up and run for daylight.

He's a lot like Randy Moss with the attitude going on but he looks like he can back himself up.

Travis Henry for the Broncos is well. . .Travis Henry. Really really good !

[MadtownPacker]

You must have been watching a different game than me. I didn't see much that Bigby gave up. I think I remember him giving up one ball. Plus, he had great coverage on a deep ball.

The fact we didnt see Bigby or hear his name at all during the game is good enough for me. Means he wasnt giving up plays like Manuel.

That deep pass to avant? with Bush covering might been a catch and big play if Bigby didnt come help.

[BallHawk]

That deep pass to avant? with Bush covering might been a catch and big play if Bigby didnt come help.

Beat me to it. Bigby came over and helped Bush big-time. That would of been a big play if it wasn't for Bigby hustling over there.

[Patler]

How many have any of the RBs or FBs that played yesterday played?

The running game didn't suck yesterday because the backs were rookies. It sucked because there was no place to run. Running backs can come in and contribute as rookies in the running game, if the line blocks. Rookie backs show up as rookies in the passing game, not so much as runners which is more instinctive/reaction.

MM said the line was out of sync, cut blocks were made too early allowing defenders to get up and get back into the play, techniques were bad. This after 25 games, two training camps and one full season for most of the linemen. How long does it take?

We have yet to see even a half, let alone a whole game in which this "scheme" has been productive. All we have seen are isolated plays when it has worked as scripted.

[HarveyWallbangers]

There were a couple of early runs that Jackson was tentative on. Personally, I think McCarthy gave up on the run too early. Teams will often start out running for 40 yards on 15 carries, but you keep running and eventually you pop a couple of 10-20 yarders. Plus, the defense has to at least remotely worry about the run. I sure hope he at least tries to run the ball more in the upcoming games.

[Patler]

There were a couple of early runs that Jackson was tentative on. Personally, I think McCarthy gave up on the run too early. Teams will often start out running for 40 yards on 15 carries, but you keep running and eventually you pop a couple of 10-20 yarders. Plus, the defense has to at least remotely worry about the run. I sure hope he at least tries to run the ball more in the upcoming games.

He was quoted as saying that was by intent yesterday. He intended to favor the passing game. I wonder how that might change in upcoming weeks.

No defense facing the Packers has had to worry about the running game since 2004, sadly. I'm sure they are now approaching Packer games with the mindset that GB will have to prove it is capable of running before they will respect the run. It's been too long.

[MJZiggy]

But if they don't respect it, doesn't that mean we'd have a better chance of having a good running game simply because the other team is not expecting it?

[Patler]

But if they don't respect it, doesn't that mean we'd have a better chance of having a good running game simply because the other team is not expecting it?

That's what makes their performance even more disheartening!

[crosbiegrad]

Didnt have a chance to watch the game on Sunday but I was wondering how Poppinga played? I'm sure everyone on here remembers painfully watching on last years opening game where Poppinga was made to look stupid, this year he was facing a much tougher TE on opening day, so yeah, i was just wondering!

[Lurker64]

Didnt have a chance to watch the game on Sunday but I was wondering how Poppinga played? I'm sure everyone on here remembers painfully watching on last years opening game where Poppinga was made to look stupid, this year he was facing a much tougher TE on opening day, so yeah, i was just wondering!

He was invisible, you barely heard his name called all day. He registered 2 tackles and 1 assist, but he didn't stand out in any way. Considering that he used to stand out in a bad way, this is a good thing.

[KYPack]

The hold on the final field goal was money! Other than that I thought h punted poorly. It looks good cause Philly handed us 2, but his punting was poor to average!

I, uh, totally disagree. He had seven punts for a 40.9 avg. He kicked right to the cover on every punt, something he didn't do last year. His average was slightly better than Philly's punter. who also had 7 kicks for 40.5 yard av.

He had some short balls, but he helped us get the 2 turnovers.

Throw in the miracle hold, the kid a had a great game.

[LEWCWA]

I thought this tread was about the punter?!